Control



Aug. 25, 1953 G. J. MUCHER 2,650,270

CONTROL Filed Sept. 26, 1950 I, 20 ,1014 {L7 1.9 A2

14 I 11; 15 x 2 NZ 77 15 2 INVENTOR.

fi TTORNE YS Patented Aug. 25, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT :GFFICE CONTROL ration of New York Application September 26, 1950, Serial No. 186,865

9 Claims.

circuits of the apparatus may be adjusted or 2 energized and a further circuit closed and interrupted. Such further circuit may control, for example, the operation of a pilot light to enable the operator to readily ascertain the positions to which the parts of the main control assembly 1 have been shifted.

A further object is that of providing an apparatus of this type and by means of which the closing and opening of the accessory circuit will in no wise interfere with the setting or adjust- 2 ment of the several circuits governed by the operation of the main control assembly. Accordingly, an operator will be able to energize or de-energize the pilot light or other unit associated with the auxiliary circuit without in the slightest aifecting the setting of the parts governed by the main portions of the control.

Another object is that of providing an apparatus of this type which will embody a relatively simple design involving comparatively few parts,

each individually simple and rugged in construction, these parts being capable of ready manufacture and assemblage and when so assembled operating over long periods of time with freedom from all difficulties.

With these and other objects in mind reference is had to the attached sheet of drawings illustrating practical embodiments of the invention and in which:

Fig. 1 is a sectional side view of one type of multiple control and showing as part of the same the structure which may be employed to achieve the presently sought results;

Fig. 2 is a partly sectional side view taken generally along the lines 2-2 and in the direction of the arrows as indicated in Fig. 1; certain of the parts having been broken away to disclose underlying structures;

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken along the lines 33 and in the direction of the arrows as indicated in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken along the lines 4-4 and in the direction of the arrows as indicated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view of a rear portion of the apparatus showing an alternative form of structure; and

Fig. 6 is a perspective View of certain of the parts in separated 'or shifted positions with respect .to each other.

Especially in Figs. .1 and 2, the invention has been shown as embraced in an assembly of the multiple control type. Two main control units have been illustrated. As will be understood from a review of the present case, the invention might be embodied in control assemblies of various types and whether they embody one main control group or any desired and acceptable number 'of such groups. Therefore it will be appreciated that the present illustrations are to be taken in an interpretative rather than a limiting sense except where otherwise indicated in the appended claims.

Thus, as in Fig. 1, the numerals l0 and II indicate casing portions for main controls. These casing portions may be conveniently coupled as by retaining straps l2 shownespecially in Fig. 2. Therefore, they will lie adjacent each other and in substantial axial alignment. The controls may be in the nature of rheostats or potentiometers and, as such, embrace rotors l3 carryinga contact arm or portion which traverses a resistance surface 14. In accordance with conventional construction, the forward unit Il may .have associated with it a boss [5 conveniently formed with a threaded portion I6 to receive a nut (not shown) serving to mount the parts upon a panel or chassis portion. A sleeve ll extends beyond the boss I5 and in turn encircles a shaft [8. Control knobs (not shown) are mounted by sleeve I 1 and shaft [8 so that these elements may be rotated with respect to each other.

It is, o'f-course, apparent that in lieu of knobs any other desired structures might be employed to effect the desired rotation. In any event, when eeve H is turned the unit contained within casing I i will have its parts shifted with respect to each other. Similarly the parts of the unit within casing l0 will be shifted by rotating shaft [8. These parts being electrically connected in circuits to be controlled it follows that current flow through these circuits will be adjusted or varied as rotation is effected. As will also be understood one or both of units [0 and H might contain circuit interrupting structures as part of their assembly and in accordance with accepted technique. As previously stated the present invention might be employed in association with a single control group or with a multiple control group similar to that herein shown.

According to this invention the control will embrace an auxiliary or accessory circuit by means of which, for example, a. pilot light may be energized and de-energized. To this end a further casing i9 is preferably connected in the assembly in any desired manner as, for example, by employing an interlocking lug structure 20. The rear face of casing 19 is closed by a plate 2| preferably of di-electric material and from which plate terminals 22 extend to be conveniently connected to a source of electric current supply and, for example, a light bulb.

Mounted upon the inner face of plate 2! and connected to the terminals 22 are switch elements. These may include a fixed member 23 which is relatively rigid and which overlies the outer end of a resilient arm 24. This arm is connected to the second terminal 22 and has a central portion 25 Which is preferably relatively raised and disposed to one side of the shaft end 58. As shown especially in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 a unit 26 of di-electric material overlies the inner face of plate M. It is provided with a tongue overlying arm Z l and the fixed contact 23. This unit is formed of flexible material and in this manner the parts are adequately protected from grounding. Of course, under certain circumstances, such protection by the tongue portion 26 of the disk is unnecessary in that as shown in Fig. 5, the end of the shaft is may carry a di-electric collar 2? which is adapted to engage the arm 24, to thus prevent electrical engagement between that arm and the shaft end.

A suitable coupling between the rotor disposed within the rearmost control casing 10 and the shaft is conveniently provided by having the inner end of the latter slotted as indicated at 28. A portion 29 of the rotor l3 extending into this slot it follows that shaft l8 may be axially shifted with respect to that rotor without disturbing the relationship of the latter with respect to the resistance M or other parts of the assembly contained within casing l0. By having relatively close tolerances incorporated, substantially no relative rotation of rotor l3 Within casing Hi may occur with respect to shaft l8.

According to the present teachings, this rotor will be mounted upon an insulating hub 30 slidably enclosing the shaft. As especially shown in Figs. 4 and 6 this hub is formed with an annular groove 3| adjacent its forward end. A retainer 32 presents a forked portion 33 comprising a pair of legs joined by a curved edge surface such that the retainer may be shifted in a direction perpendicular to the shaft axis so that it rides into the groove 3! of the hub. The retainer bears against the outer face or portion of the di-electric member 38 mounting the resistance M disposed in casing I0. Therefore, it follows that hub 30 may not be axially shifted when the retainer is in position. With the parts of the rotor l3 disposed within casing it] being mounted on the same hub 39, it is apparent that such rotor will also not shift in an axial direction. Conveniently the end of the retainer terminates in a tongue portion 34 which may be disposed in a notch 35 forming a part of the stator carrying resistance l4. Accordingly, deliberate manipulation will be necessary to dis-engage the retainer from the hub and to move that retainer from the assembly.

According to the present teachings the retainer also preferably forms a part of a detent structure in order to maintain shaft l8 against undesired axial displacement once that shaft has been shifted to a pre-determined position. Thus. it

will be observed as in Figs. 4 and 6 that the body of the retainer has forwardly extending, opposed, spring portions 36. The adjacent portion of the shaft is characterized by a pair of grooves separated by a relatively enlarged portion 31. The distance between the innermost parts of spring arms 36 is substantially equal to the diameter of these grooves. Therefore, when shaft [8 is shifted axially these resilient portions will ride into one of the grooves and thus retain the shaft against further axial shifting unless the parts are deliberately further manipulated. Under such manipulation spring portions 35 will cam against the surfaces of the center enlargement 31 and ride into the second groove. Accordingly a proper detent structure is furnished.

As will be appreciated in assembling the apparatus it will be a relatively easy matter to provide the casing 19 and its contained switch. While in many respects it is preferred to employ a switch embodying a construction such as has been shown, it will be apparent that any proper and desirable form of switch assembly could be employed in lieu thereof. In any event, the rotor I3 to be contained within casing portion If! is disposed over the inner end of the shaft so that its part 29 rides Within the slot 28. The hub 39 mounting this rotor is projected through the opening in the insulating member 38 and so that the contact or engaging part of the rotor properly cooperates with the resistance surface M or other structure. Thereupon the retainer 32 is applied to the groove 3! of the hub to thus retain the parts in position.

Under these circumstances and as afore brought out very little play will occur by way of relative rotation between shaft is and the rotor. Such movement as may occur in this connection will be so limited as to be of no consequence. With the retainer in position no axial movement of the rotor 13 will occur with respect to the resistance l4 within casing if! as would cause these parts to not cooperate to best advantage. If two assemblies (as shown) are employed, then the operator, in using the device, will be able to turn the shaft I8 as well as sleeve if to bring the parts of the different assemblies to the desired positions. By simply pulling upon the shaft M3 the latter may be moved to the right to shift the parts to the positions shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Under these circumstances the end of the shaft l8 will be free of operative engagement with the switch connected to terminals 22. In other words it will not exert pressure upon the latter such that its contacts are separated. Therefore the circuit through that switch will be closed and, for example, a pilot light may be energized. If it is desired to ole-energize that light then by simply pushing inwardly upon shaft E8 the structure of the detent will function to retain the shaft in an inward position. In the latter a pressure is exerted against the auxiliary switch to cause the parts of the same to assume an open condition.

As will be noted the foregoing operations are achieved without in any manner disturbing the relationship of the several controls l3 and i4 within casings if! and H. Therefore the operator may, at will, in the case of a television apparatus, cause, for example, energization and deenergization of a pilot bulb without in any way affecting the positions or adjustments established by the other controls of the assembly. Accordingly no additional controls will have to be added to the receiver in order to provide for the pilot light or other additional circuits herewith established. As will be apparent with the parts once properly provided and assembled they will function for indefinite periods of time with freedom fromall difficulties.

Thus, among others, the several objects of the invention as specifically afore noted are achieved. Obviously numerous changes in construction and rearrangement of the parts might be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the claims.

I claim:

1. A control including in combination a mechanism to be electrically connected to apparatus to govern the functioning of the latter, a hub forming a part of said control, a unit axially shiftable with respect to said hub and coupled against rotation with respect to the latter, cooperating detent means connected to said hub and unit for retaining the latter in the position to which it has been axially shifted and hubretaining means forming a part of said detent means.

2. A control including in combination a stator assembly, a hub extending through an opening in said assembly, a retainer cooperable with said assembly and hub to prevent axial movement of the parts with respect to each other, a rotor coupled to said hub and cooperable with said stator, a unit axially shiftable with respect to said hub and maintained against rotation with respect to the latter and means forming a part of said unit and retainer and functioning as a detent to maintain said unit in a position to which it has been shifted.

3. In a control in combination a shaft formed with a flattened surface, a hub encircling said shaft, a rotor mounted upon said hub and having a part bearing against said flattened surface whereby relative rotation between said rotor and shaft is prevented while said shaft may be shifted in an axial direction with respect to said rotor, a retainer bearing against said hub to prevent axial movements of the latter and detent means forming a part of said retainer and shaft for maintaining the latter in a position to which it has been axially shifted with respect to said hub.

4. In a control in combination a shaft formed with a flattened surface, a hub encircling said shaft, a rotor mounted upon said hub and having a part bearing against said flattened surface whereby relative rotation between said rotor and shaft is prevented while said shaft may be shifted in an axial direction with respect to said rotor, a retainer bearing against said hub to prevent axial movements of the latter, detent means forming a part of said retainer and shaft for maintaining the latter in a position to which it has been axially shifted with respect to said hub, a stator mounting and a part of said retainer engaging and being fixed with respect to said mounting.

5. In a control in combination a shaft formed with a flattened surface, a hub encircling said shaft, a rotor mounted upon said hub and having a part bearing against said flattened surface whereby relative rotation between said rotor and shaft is prevented while said shaft may be shifted in an axial direction with respect to said rotor, a retainer bearing against said hub to prevent axial movements of the latter, said shaft being formed with a groove and a resilient extension forming a part of said retainer to extend into said groove and function as a detent to retain the shaft in a position to which it has been axially shifted with respect to said hub.

6. In a control as a sub-combination a retainer including a fork-shaped body, the crotch portion of said body presenting an edge to enter an annular groove forming a part of a unit to be retained, an extension integral with one of the arms of said body, a detent at the outer end of said extension and disposed substantially in line with said crotch portion and said body presenting surfaces to be engaged by supports to prevent said retainer from shifting.

7. In a control in combination a shaft formed with a flattened surface, a hub encircling said shaft, a rotor mounted upon said hub and having a part bearing against said flattened surface whereby relative rotation between said rotor and shaft is prevented while said shaft may be shifted in an axial direction with respect to said rotor, said hub being formed with a groove, a retainer presenting an edge portion riding within said groove to prevent axial movement of said hub and detent means forming a part of said retainer and shaft for maintaining the latter in a position to which it has been axially shifted with respect to said hub.

8. In a control in combination a shaft formed with a flattened surface, a hub encircling said shaft, a rotor mounted upon said hub and having a part bearing against said flattened surface whereby relative rotation between said rotor and shaft is prevented while said shaft may be shifted in an axial direction with respect to said rotor, a retainer bearing against said hub to prevent axial movements of the latter, detent means forming a part of said retainer and shaft for maintaining the latter in a position to which it has been axially shifted with respect to said hub, a stator-rotating sleeve slidably encircling said shaft and said sleeve terminating adjacent said detent means.

9. A control including in combination a housing structure, a shaft extending into said structure and beyond the same, an electric stator flxed within said structure, a rotor cooperating with said stator within said structure, means for coupling said shaft against rotation with respect to said rotor while permitting axial movement of said shaft with respect thereto, detent means for maintaining said shaft in positions to which it has been axially shifted, both said coupling and detent means being enclosed within said structure and a switch having an operating part connected to said structure and to be shifted upon said shaft moving in an axial direction to a pre-determined point.

GEORGE J. MUCHER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,226,971 Hart May 22, 1917 1,499,236 McMillan June 24, 1924 1,832,857 Collier Nov. 24, 1931 1,891,752 Coyne Dec. 20, 1932 1,919,208 Douglas July 25, 1933 1,977,707 Weitzer Oct. 23, 1934 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 619,635 France Dec. 11, 1925 

